Editor's Note: Early voting begins Oct. 18 for the Nov. 2 Bloomington school board elections. To help our readers learn more about the candidates we're featuring short stories on candidates in contested races.

By ERICA RODRIGUEZ

BLOOMINGTON- Kerstin Jones, a retired German air force officer and mother of six, wants to make parental involvement a No. 1 priority for the school district.

"I can be voted onto the board, and I can have an open ear to the parents, but if parents don't come to the board meetings and express their concerns, then there's not much I can do," she said.

Jones, a former special education teacher, is running against four opponents for the Place 3 seat on the school board.

Jones, who holds a master's of business administration, said her "open mind" is what qualifies her for the spot.

"I believe that the school board needs to be more up to date because the needs of the students change every year," she said.

Changing the attitudes of parents and students in the district is a challenge she hopes to tackle.

"The students are not happy in this school district, and I want to change that," she said.

Jones, who formerly worked in the East Central School District in San Antonio, said she also wants to make educating the students a bigger priority by making sure the district attracts good teachers.

"I strongly feel that the education part of the school district is not being pushed," she said.